New Study Links Living Near Golf Courses to Higher Risk of Parkinson’s Disease
- Elder Love USA
- May 21
- 3 min read
Updated: May 27
Golf courses are known for their peaceful landscapes and pristine greens.
But a new study is raising eyebrows by suggesting that what keeps those lawns so perfect could pose a hidden danger—especially to people living nearby.
A Mystery with Many Clues
Parkinson’s disease is a neurological disorder with no single known cause.
According to Johns Hopkins, it's likely the result of a complicated mix of genetics, age, gender, and environmental exposures.
One of those risks is pesticide exposure.
This new study zooms in on a very specific source of pesticide exposure: golf courses.
What’s in the Grass?
If you’ve ever stepped onto a golf course, you’ve probably noticed how perfect the grass looks—like it’s been photoshopped in real life.
That perfection comes at a cost.
Golf course turf is often treated with a range of pesticides, including insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides, to keep weeds, diseases, and insects at bay.
The goal is to meet the expectations of players and visitors, but also to protect the turf itself.
The Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) points out that healthy grass does more than just look good—it can prevent soil erosion, absorb stormwater runoff, and provide green space for local wildlife.
To strike a balance between effectiveness and environmental impact, many golf courses in the U.S. follow Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices.
According to the study, the US pesticide application to golf courses can be up to 15 times higher compared with countries in Europe.
What the New Study Found
Published in JAMA Network Open, this new research focused on the connection between Parkinson’s disease and proximity to golf courses.
They observed that, people who lived within 1 to 3 miles of a golf course had higher odds of developing Parkinson’s. And individuals that got their drinking water from the water service areas with a golf course had nearly double the odds of Parkinson's compared to those who did not.
This may be because of the evidence of pesticides that are applied to golf courses to leach into the ground and contaminate drinking water supplies.
But water isn’t the only concern.
The researchers also pointed to airborne exposure, as another pathway for chemicals to enter the body.
Still, it’s important to remember: Parkinson’s disease is complex.
While environmental exposures like pesticides are a growing concern, the disease usually results from a combination of factors—including genetics, age, and other unknown variables.
The American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA) noted that this study presents a plausible explanation for increased risk—but cautions that it does not offer definitive proof.
Other variables might be at play. For example, residents living near golf courses may engage in less physical activity, such as aerobic exercise, which has been shown to help reduce Parkinson’s risk.
The study also had limitations. It did not account for some well-known Parkinson’s risk factors, like genetic predisposition or a history of head trauma.
In short, there is no single cause of Parkinson’s—but studies like this are still important.
It adds to the growing evidence of the link between pesticides and Parkinson's over the years.
They also help us ask better questions, uncover hidden risks, and bring more awareness to how our surroundings might affect our long-term health.
A New Way to Think About Green Spaces
If pesticides are part of the problem, is there a safer way to maintain golf courses?
Some forward-thinking courses are already proving that it’s possible to go green—without the synthetic chemicals.
Take the Vineyard Golf Club on Martha’s Vineyard, for example. A pioneer of organic golf courses in the U.S.
That means they don't use any synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, or herbicides—just careful soil management, constant attention, and a whole lot of trial and error.
They keep the grass healthy by:
They feed the turf regularly with water and nitrogen
They keep soil moisture levels just right to avoid disease
When pests show up, they turn to biological controls, like beneficial nematodes—tiny worms that go after root-damaging insects
This might just be the model for a healthier future in turf management.
This study challenges us to take a closer look: What’s the cost of maintaining a golf course, and who’s paying for it?
If you're living near a golf course—or drinking water from a nearby source—it may be time to ask some questions.
And if you’re in the business of managing or regulating these spaces, it might be time to look into alternatives to pesticides.
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This article is brought to you by Elder Love USA, a leading nonprofit provider of home care services in Riverside County, CA, San Diego County, CA, San Bernardino County, CA, Orange County, CA, Imperial County, CA, and Phoenix, AZ.
Our mission is to provide compassionate and affordable in-home care for older adults in need.
Sources:
https://www.apdaparkinson.org/article/golf-course-concerns-new-research-shows-link-to-parkinsons/